I LIVE! Welcome back everyone. Bet a lot of you are happy to see an update after around 6 months. Though, I didn't want to post when I lacked motivation in fear of my work being very sloppy. (No one wants that.)
I know I said I wouldn't do any other stories until I had finished this one, but I guess I became a hypocrite and decided to throw that right out of the window. To help get me motivated once again, I decided to work on another story called 'Into Unknown Waters'. To help my plot bunnies migrate back over here. It's a Code Geass and Subnautica crossover that revolves around Lelouch, Kallen, and Suzaku. (Jolly.) I managed to get into writing chapter four for that story before I got re-motivated to finish this chapter for Christmas. Merry Christmas by the way everyone! :D
Also, just as a reminder for everyone.
"I have an announcement to make!" Italicized stands for a flashback.
I wonder what he's up to? Stands for thoughts.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen!" Is speech through a radio, microphone, or other electronic device.
"I am Zero." Is regular speech.
Anyways, let's jump right in and get this party started! I'll explain more in my endnotes.
Ch.34: The Great Escape
The silence stretched on for a moment that almost made the situation awkward, but Zero quickly recovered. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you've managed to find me. That also means you know where Reiji Akaba is." The silent ninja's allegiance was to the Akabas first and foremost. Despite being the 'co-leader' of the Lancers, it was obvious whose loyalty Tsukikage's lay with.
Sadly, it wasn't his, and it wouldn't be his either if he didn't do anything short of geassing the ninja.
Tsukikage nodded, his blue scarf and ninja gear covered most of his face except for his blue eyes. Though it made his voice somewhat muffled, it also blocked out most of his body language, as was expected from someone with his job description. "Both Akabas are fine and well, as well as your Xyz comrade Ruri." That brought some relief to the masked man, one possible crisis averted at the moment with the Lyrical Luscinia duelist in safe hands.
"Good." Zero stated bluntly, and focused more on informing Shun and Yuto of the news through his duel disk. The amount of replies he got back in that instant caused the masked man to silence his notifications. "I'm sure you've heard of what has happened to most of my Lancers, correct?"
Whether Tsukikage noticed Zero saying the Lancers were his remained unknown, but if he did the ninja kept quiet about it and merely nodded again. The lunar ninja wasn't one for words, and more for getting to the point.
"As I expected." Zero nodded, before gesturing that they walk whilst conversing. Tsukikage held the door open for his superior, before silently closing it and following the man a few steps to the side and slightly behind him. They headed to the rooftops first, using the shadows as they went. "What does Akaba have planned for breaking my Lancers out of prison?" Zero spoke as they began moving back to his safehouse.
"Nothing at the moment." Tsukikage responded like a proper soldier, something that Zero somewhat missed with his Black Knights back at home. "He's currently negotiating with the City Council to gain their release among other things such as their alliance in the war against Academia."
"Always the diplomat." Zero sneered under his mask, speaking of the Standard genius as if he knew him far longer than he really did. "Preferring to use his words and subtle manipulations whilst doing nothing and remaining in the background unless absolutely necessary." The thought of being like that made Zero want to gnash his teeth in fury alone.
It made him think of his brother Schneizel, as much as he didn't want to.
"Hmph. It doesn't matter, in fact I should probably be thankful that he isn't doing anything." Zero stated matter of factly. The two jumped from one roof to another, the conditions of the buildings steadily declining as they travelled through Common territory. "It lets me know that he won't be getting in my way." Tsukikage said nothing, but the slight furrow in his eyebrows showed that he was at least somewhat concerned about what chaos the masked revolutionary was planning next. "Shun and Yuto are currently with me in hiding, as you should already know. After all, our little escapade is almost as famous as this Jack Atlas person I keep seeing everywhere at the moment." The masked man tilted his head over to a billboard of said celebrity they were passing here in the Synchro Dimension.
"With everyone accounted for, I take it you're going to break the rest of the Lancers out of the Detention Facility." Tsukikage summarized correctly, and Zero gave a light hum in acknowledgement as a small breeze came in, kicking out their cape and scarf respectively.
The ninja remained quiet for a few blocks before speaking once more with his lips pursed and a lightly distasteful expression on his face. "Seeing as you're the co-commander of the Lancers, I can't do anything to stop you from doing this. Though this may set Akaba's relations with the Council back quite a few steps."
"Our first priority if we ever got separated was to reunite the Lancers immediately, we all agreed on this." Zero said stiffly. They jumped down into an alleyway to duck an incoming Security helicopter, no doubt searching for them. The bright spotlight passed over their hiding spot in a flash, but both were hidden behind the useless junk that littered the Common alleyway.
Both appeared from their hiding places, and unanimously decided to continue their trek on foot. "Akaba is apparently unconcerned about our Lancers all suddenly meeting up in prison, or what could happen to them is said place." The dark haired ninja couldn't see it, but he could feel Zero's masked eyes on him, sending a light chill down his spine. "As I'm sure you're well aware, prison isn't a good place for children like them to be in."
"I agree with you that we need to free our comrades." Tsukikage nodded to show his emphasis on how important it was that his allies gained their freedom from that hellish place. After all, he wasn't an emotionless robot, he cared for them as well in his own ways. "I want to see them all out of there as soon as possible, but Reiji has already been working on that."
"And how long would it take for them to be freed if we went the diplomatic route?" Zero ground out. "Days? Months? I know the answer would at least be months, and at most never." The masked man looked over at the decaying buildings of the Commons' area they were passing. They were getting close to the safehouse now judging by the rapidly degrading architecture.
"I know how systems like these work very well, and they'll just keep running circles around Akaba for as long as they want and get away with it, or until he gives up. No, a show of strength and what we can do is in order first. Then we can talk about diplomacy and negotiations." The conversation had to go to an abrupt halt as a Security car slowly drove past their spot, but neither were spotted and they quickly continued onward. The sickly green lights of the car flashing behind them and throwing their shadows forward menacingly. "You first need to gain their respect if you hope to get anywhere, and that respect is power." Both subtly looked down both ways of the next street they were approaching, before quietly sprinting across to another darkened alley.
"Then they'll stop and listen." Zero finished just as they pulled up to a door that could fall off of its hinges with just a light touch of one finger. At least, that's how it looked, because when Zero opened said door, the hinges didn't even give off a squeak due to rust. The two Lancers quietly rushed into the safehouse, with Tsukikage closing the door behind himself and following after the masked man diligently. "Survival of the fittest, that's this Dimension's motto. Show them you're more than fit to survive, that you're strong, and they'll acquiesce to our demands."
The revolutionary signalled Tsukikage to check the windows to see if they were being followed even though it was unlikely. The ninja silently looked through the blinds, and gave an all clear signal. With it, Zero worked to open the secret trapdoor that hid his Xyz fighters and D-Wheel. "Not only that, but it'll give our words more of a backbone to be taken seriously and relied upon." With the door open, the masked man went down first. "Or they'll just think we deserve an award, depends on how arrogant and godly they believe themselves to be."
Zero clicked his tongue, and Tsukikage closed the trapdoor.
"I'm sure you've got a plan on how to break them out, right?" The ninja asked in the dark hallway that was soon getting brighter and becoming more suitable for living. As a reply, Zero took a folder out from a secret pocket in his cape and waved it near the ninja's face, before returning it to its proper hiding place. "Right." The ninja deadpanned before getting back to the matter at hand. "Seeing as you've got everything down pat, I wish you the best of luck and success in your plans."
Zero suddenly stopped in his tracks, raised an invisible eyebrow, and eyed Tsukikage with his cursed eye. "Funny, I thought you'd only say things like that to Akaba. He is your boss after all."
If it weren't for the fact that Zero knew Tsukikage wasn't arrogant, and instead more humble of a person. He would have taken the ninja's raised eyebrows and lowered eyelids as a condescending expression. Then again, he couldn't completely tell what expression he was showing since half of his face was cut off with that scarf.
"You're a leader of the Lancers, so technically you are also my boss." Tsukikage stated.
"Except I won't pay you in the end, unlike Akaba." Zero crossed his arms, the two had stopped at the door that led to Yusei's workshop.
"Is it so wrong to wish luck to someone if we're on the same side? We're allies, no need to make such a deal over it." The ninja observed. He watched as Zero remained stock still for a moment, before he pushed the door open with a dramatic flourish and gestured for Tsukikage to go first. The Lancer's keen ears only managed to pick up 'used to a damn pit of vipers' before that topic was promptly closed.
"There you are!"
In reality, it was probably Zero's intention to make Tsukikage go first, because the only thing separating the masked man from a very angry Raidraptor Xyz user was his own body. Even then, the ninja wasn't sure that would stop Shun from somehow reaching through him and strangling his leader.
Tsukikage only gave a small sweat drop as he eyed Zero and the three other occupants of the room. The man kept his composure even as Zero subtly urged him forward and kept the ninja in front of himself. Thankfully, Yuto was there to hold Shun back somewhat to speak common sense and reason on why they shouldn't 'kill and bury the body' of the masked man.
Yusei was stock still and stiff, his darkened sapphire eyes focused solely on Tsukikage and sizing him up as if he was a threat. After a few seconds, the man's eyes flickered to Zero and back, but he chose to remain silent for now and sternly crossed his arms.
"Nice to see that you're glad for my safe return." Zero prompted somewhat haughtily, making a tick mark appear on Shun's forehead. "Although the reception seems a little waning, is it not?"
Tsukikage would never know if Zero said that to make Shun's anger reignite on purpose, or if he genuinely meant it.
The ninja also noticed he was still firmly placed in between the two.
"You're lucky I haven't tied you down on a stool yet, Zero." Shun spoke tightly through his gritted teeth. "What the hell were you thinking!? Going out there all alone without even notifying us! You know Security is searching for even a hint of our whereabouts, and if you were caught we'd almost be sitting ducks." Though Yuto said nothing, his darkened expression and aura showed how angry he was as well at being left behind.
"Were you drunk when you decided it was a good idea to parade around the City alone? Because I feel like that's the only explanation as to why you did it. Without us might I add." Yuto spoke icily that showed the anger behind said calm. Honestly, it was a shock he hadn't tried to attack the masked man as well. "Either that or you're crazy."
"Calm yourselves you two, as you can see, I'm fine." The masked man gestured to himself with one hand, and showed the ill gotten gains he had obtained with the other. "Besides, my risks had many more benefits than negatives. Not only do I know where the other Lancers are, and where Ruri is, but I have the means to break them out of the Detention Facility… I know that you and Yuto can take care of yourselves if I had indeed been captured, but that would most certainly have to be due to a freak accident." That time spent fighting and surviving in the Xyz Dimension wasn't for nothing after all. Zero knew just how competent his soldiers were. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here fighting by his side if they really didn't have what it takes to be a Lancer.
At the mention of Ruri, both Shun and Yuto seemed to lose the anger directed at their leader for the somewhat childish counterattack about what happened a few days ago. News of their sister and friend's safety had quelled the growing rage of Zero's antics tremendously. The lunar ninja wouldn't be surprised if Zero sent that message ahead of time just for this scenario.
Just like how he was being used as a barrier to protect Zero's person from possible bodily harm.
Seeing as the danger had now passed, Zero casually walked away from the safety of Tsukikage's bodily wall to stroll towards his D-Wheel. The machine was hidden under a new white tarp. With a quick scan of the room, Zero noticed that the tools used to create his D-Wheel were gone, and only the laptop and console remained, but the laptop was shut down. "I see that the preparations for my D-Wheel have been finished." The revolutionary said approvingly whilst lightly skimming the side of the machine.
Yusei shook himself out of his stiffened demeanor at seeing Tsukikage and the folder Zero was holding to address Zero calmly. "Yeah. I did an entire inspection to see if everything was in working order, twice. Surprisingly, it's all working perfectly fine, so it seems your risky theory here has worked too. So congrats, it shouldn't be exploding anytime soon." He spoke that last part sarcastically.
Zero said nothing, only nodding his head to show he was listening, and instead placed one hand onto the side of his D-Wheel.
The masked man handed Yuto the folder containing everything he had gained from the Detention Facility that wasn't on his duel disk. The Phantom Knight wordlessly took it and opened the folder to look through the files. "Study the layout of the Detention Facility well you two. I'll relay my plan for breaking the rest of your Lancers out in a moment."
With orders finally given and something to do besides trying to tear their leader a new one, both Yuto and Shun returned to the pull out couch to dutifully study what they were given. The masked revolutionary meanwhile, turned his head to face Tsukikage once more. The ninja straightened his posture at his superior's attention. "I want you to stay here for a few moments longer. We're going to need a place to return and recuperate at, and what better place than at the Council's doorstep? You'll be informed of the plan as well, so you'll at least be able to relay it to Akaba." Sure, he didn't want Akaba to get in his way, but he also didn't want the man to be surprised when he saw the rest of his supposed to be convicted Lancers come knocking.
Actually, maybe he did want the L.D.S president to be surprised. Payback for making them come here in the first place.
When Tsukikage gave a silent nod, Zero turned his attention to Yusei. The man stiffened a tad more at the almost supernatural aura of the masked man's gaze. "You risking everything to take us in and build this D-Wheel for me will not go by unnoticed." The Synchro citizen could almost feel Zero's sour disposition as he spoke again. "So, in a later time down the road when this war with Academia is won, you can come to me to cash in a favor." Shun and Yuto seemed to get a boost at Zero proclaiming that they've already won the war between the two sides judging by the smirks now on their faces. "Just as you've done with me, and as you now know, I go above and beyond to achieve my goals with any means… Know that I don't give out favors lightly."
Yusei blinked at the weird way Zero was showing his appreciation, before replying with amusement leaking from his voice and expression. "That was a pretty long and convoluted way to just say thank you." Seeing the masked man nearly shudder at the thought, Yusei barked out a single laugh. "It was nothing. If anything, we've helped each other out in this expenditure."
Zero said nothing, but crossed both of his arms over his chest and spoke seriously once more. "I also expect that whatever is said in this room never sees the light of day again, nor will it grace anyone else's ears." The masked leader didn't state it as a question, but more like an order.
Yusei raised one eyebrow, and rolled his sapphire blue eyes. "Affirmative, sir." He said sarcastically. "Now hurry up with this battle plan of yours so I can get back to working on my own projects. Also I expect you guys to be completely gone by sundown tomorrow at the latest." Dark blue eyes now looked up to the ceiling as if expecting Security to just suddenly barge in from above. "Who knows how long until Security finds this place, and I want to have my D-Wheel finished before they get here so I can move on to another safehouse."
"Duly noted." Zero acknowledged with a nod, before turning to Shun and Yuto. Everyone in the room fell silent to hear what the masked man had to say next. "Now, here's what you two are going to do."
. . .
"Hey, Yuya! We're counting on you tomorrow, too!"
At the unexpected greeting from Shinji, Yuya jolted in place and fumbled while hiding something behind him and into his back pocket. One hand keeping a steady hold on the mop he was using to clean the prison floors so as not to fall onto the floor.
"Eh?" Scarlet eyes blinked, before looking up towards the older boy in confusion. That confusion quickly turned into a sour look. "What? I'm up for cleaning duty again tomorrow?!" The Detention Facility and their workers were certainly pushing them through the ringer, and the inmates most certainly were not helping. The only bright side to this entire situation was that they had gained a new ally and friend in the 'Kingpin' of the facility, Tokumatsu. With his help and rather extensive collection of cards, the workload of the captured Lancers and Lancers-to-be was cut down significantly. But there were still moments where the security guards pushed them around with a job to do.
At the Pendulum user's expression, Shinji laughed. "No, no. Nothing like that, sorry for being so vague." The Synchro citizen waved his hand to the side as he explained what he meant. "We just want to see another duel like the one we saw yesterday. So we've been discussing the idea with Tokumatsu." The purple and cyan haired duelist nudged his head forward, and said kingpin entered the prison cell.
"Oh, hello Tokumatsu. How have you been doing?" Yuya spoke politely.
At the kind greeting, Tokumatsu grinned and gave a wave back. "I've been doing rather well Yuya, thank you. That duel we had yesterday was truly thrilling. I've still got tons of energy flowing through my veins while thinking back on it."
"That's great." Green and red hair shifted to the side as the younger duelist tilted his head. "Now what's this I hear about another duel?"
Tokumatsu smiled, and began to explain. "Well, everyone who was there to see our duel was so entranced and moved by it that they wanted to see another one." At the announcement, Yuya gave a big grin and cheered for himself. Filled with joy that his dueling and actions have managed to make an affect and move some of the people in this prison. Tokumatsu continued. "Since we're going to do another duel in front of a large crowd I figured we might as well make it more grand and exciting. Something that everyone in this part of the Detention Facility can see and cheer for instead of being in a cramped, dingy little old cell."
At that sudden bout of information, Yuya furrowed his eyebrows. "But doesn't that mean we'll have to use the cafeteria floor, and what about the guards? Don't tell me that they're okay with all of that."
"I've already talked with the head director of this place." The adult rubbed the scruff on his chin and gave a thoughtful look. "Surprisingly, it only took a couple of rare cards to get him to accept. I myself thought I would have had trouble convincing him to allow us to do this, but he was rather lax and laid back about the whole thing. Perhaps I had just caught him in a rather good mood." His suspicious gaze transformed into another bright grin as his eyes looked back into scarlet. "Oh well. I'm sure we'll have a great Entertainment Duel Tournament in the canteen tomorrow!"
"I think so too!" Yet, Yuya's grin faltered just a hitch as he raised an eyebrow. "Wait, a tournament? Who else will be dueling?"
"That would be me. Thank you very much." All heads turned to the occupant leaning against the prison cell door nonchalantly with his arms crossed. "It is after all, my time to shine!"
Everyone gave Sylvio a rather blank stare at the burnette's proclamation. "Whatever you say Sylvio." Yuya deadpanned while Shinji just casually rolled his eyes. Though the older man's lips did twitch upwards at the Lancer's antics.
"Why, I wouldn't act so confident if I were you sonny." Tokumatsu stated. "I'll be smashing that spirit of yours to bits tonight."
"Sonny? Who even says that word anymore?" Sylvio laughed. The two duelists started to lean into each other's space and swap taunts. Shinji just watched all of this with an amused expression on his face alongside Yuya.
That is, until Crow walked by.
Crow and Shinji both exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between the two, before the orange haired duelist casually continued on his way. Yuya's eyes widened as the object, a picture belonging to Crow in the shape of a duel card, weighed heavily in his back pocket.
"Uh, here, hold this for a second." The tomato haired teen passed off the mop to Shinji without waiting for a reply and began to quickly run and catch up to Crow. "I'll be back in a minute. I just gotta talk to Crow." The Pendulum user missed Shinji's somewhat confused and gobsmacked expression, but otherwise didn't really protest Yuya's strange behavior. "Hey, Crow!"
Hearing Yuya call his name, Crow stopped and turned to address the younger boy. An eyebrow hitched up in curiosity. "Yeah? What's up, Yuya?"
"This is yours, right?" Yuya took the small picture out of his back pocket gingerly and held it out to the Synchro user.
Grey eyes widened as Crow quickly, yet carefully, snatched the picture away from Yuya. "Where did you find this?" Orange hair shifted as Crow shook his head, dismissing the question. "It doesn't matter. Thank you for bringing this back to me." With that, Crow gently placed the picture back in its proper place in a pocket inside his leather vest.
"It was nothing. I'm just relieved I managed to find it and get it back to you before someone else took it. I found it face down under your bed while I was cleaning the room." Yuya explained.
"...So. Did you hear about the duel coming up tonight?" Crow asked somewhat awkwardly.
"Oh, the one between me, Tokumatsu, and apparently Sylvio? Yeah, what about it?" Yuya questioned, rubbing the back of his head for a moment as he watched Crow's expression.
The Synchro user's lips pursed and his eyes narrowed, deep in thought for a moment, before he snapped out of it and gave a big grin to Yuya. "It's nothing. Just be sure to really liven things up! I'll be betting on you in this tournament, so do go and end up losing you hear me." The older teen gave a big hearty pat on Yuya's shoulder.
Yuya's grin reached all the way to his scarlet eyes. "Don't worry about a thing Crow. I've got this tournament in the bag!"
"That's good to hear." Crow's grin seemed to twitch a little at the end. Though the orangette quickly turned and began to walk away before Yuya could be sure. "I look forward to tonight then."
"Right. See ya, Crow." Yuya gave a short wave, then turned on his heels and began to make his way back to the prison cell where he had left Shinji and an abandoned mop. A few seconds after Yuya had left, Crow left out a big sigh of relief. That pensive expression back on his face as he continued his walk.
"Yo, there you are Crow!" Dark grey eyes looked up to meet a familiar face and ally.
"Ah, Damon." Crow greeted, and the two firmly shook hands. "Are you doing okay?"
"I'm fine." Damon, a male around Crow's age and just slightly taller than him, put his hands back into his pockets.
He had coco brown skin and steel grey eyes while very short dark magenta hair spiked on the top of his head and smoothed out on the sides. His ear lobes were stretched and a big, blue, cyan metal was embedded on each ear. He wore a black t-shirt and grey leather vest that cut off at his shoulders, old worn white fluff sticking out underneath. Blue jeans and old, rather used black shoes finished off the look.
The two current and only occupants in the prison hallway carefully scanned their surroundings before Damon leaned forward to whisper into Crow's ear. "You and Shinji still good for tonight?" Wordlessly, Crow nodded his head and the two backed away from each other in understanding. "And no one else knows, right?"
"...Yeah. We're cool for tonight." Crow answered after a second. His dark grey eyes flashed in the dim light, conflict clear in them. "... I still don't know about this. I mean, I want to get back to the kids as quickly as possible, but to leave people like Yuya and his friends behind in a place like this-!" The Synchro user lowered his voice so it was back to a whisper with a tired sigh. Eyes averting Damon's pitying gaze. "It doesn't feel right."
"I understand that you feel that way, but there's too many people. We can't take them all with us, Crow. Besides, that Sakaki kid and the burnette have the important role as distraction in all of this." A rather solemn expression crossed Damon's own face. "If it's any consolation, they managed to get into the kingpin's good graces, so I'm positive he'll take care of them while we… you know… 'fly the coop'."
"...Yeah." Crow agreed begrudgingly. "No one is watching out for Frank, Tanner, or Amanda out there. I have to get back to them, no matter what the cost."
Damon only gave one last nod, before he began to walk back to his cell to prepare for tonight. "See you later then, Crow."
"Right, see you later." Crow said, leaving himself to be the only occupant standing in the hallway silently.
. . .
"Phew… Geez louise." Yugo breathed a big sigh, before leaning back away from his D-Wheel and the tool box resting by his side to stretch his back. "Just a few more adjustments and you should be ready and raring to go baby." The teen affectionately patted the side of his D-Wheel before digging into his tool box again. "Now, where is that miniature screwdriver…"
"Shouldn't you be a bit more worried?" Blue and yellow hair turned as aquamarine eyes gazed up into concerned periwinkle. "I mean, it's been three days now and we still haven't heard a word from Zero and the others." Yuzu Hiragi held her hands close together to her chest, one hand fidgeting with her bracelet. "I hope they didn't get caught by Security."
"Oh please, I'm sure they're fine." Yugo waved off Yuzu's concerns with his own bright optimism. "I mean, their capture would have been all over the news and radios if Security caught your Lancer friends, so they're still out there running amok somewhere. They probably don't want to contact us in case they attract Security's attention to us, which we already have and don't need anymore of. Hell, we were lucky when we got out of there to bring my D-Wheel back here at the orphanage before that all went down. Who knows where we would be now if we didn't." The D-Wheel rider gave a disappointed huff, shoulders slumping and a pout appearing on his face as he spoke more glumly. "It's a shame we can't go back there though. I really would have loved to get a taste of more of that food and bring my D-Wheel there."
An incredulous expression grew on Yuzu's face. "Eh?! Yugo you can't take a D-Wheel into a casino's penthouse floor!"
A big mischievous grin stretched across Yugo's expression, wiping that pout clean. "Pfft yay, I know that." The banana banged duelist threw his hands behind his head. "It just would have been hilarious to see the Top's expression."
"Yugo!" Yuzu chastised.
"I know I know. I'm just pulling your strings." Yugo said placatingly before getting back to work on his D-Wheel. "...Well, maybe, but since I'm entering the Friendship Cup I figured I might as well be on my best behavior for now."
That speechless expression on Yuzu's face stayed on there for a moment before she forcibly wiped it off by rubbing her face with her hands. The pink haired teen deciding to move on to a different topic of conversation. "So you're really serious about that? Entering and winning the Friendship Cup?"
At Yuzu's question, Yugo instantly became fired up and did a fist pump. "Hell yeah!" He exclaimed, before getting back to work while speaking over his shoulder. "Winning the Friendship Cup. That's the promise I made with Rin, and I intend to keep it and accomplish it with all of my might and soul!" While Yugo finished working on his D-Wheel and put the panel back in place, Yuzu looked up to one of the many Friendship Cup posters taped to the walls. "Oh! I applied for you as well by the way."
It took a minute for that last sentence to be fully processed.
"... Wait- What?!" Yuzu cried out, shocked. Periwinkle eyes blinking and shooting straight towards the back of Yugo's head with a fiery gaze. The Synchro user having stopped what he was doing and stiffened, a drop of sweat appeared and trickled down the side of his head at her heated glare. "Why am I joining?!"
Hesitantly, Yugo with a sheepish smile on his face. Fear of being assaulted by that paper fan again clear in his mind. "I- I uh. he he." Yugo quickly gulped down his fears and saliva so he could actually speak. "I thought that instead of putting up those fliers and yelling about a war between dimensions like a loony- because let's be honest we probably looked rather insane doing that." Yuzu slowly began to reach behind her back and Yugo spoke the rest of what he was going to say quickly lest he forever hold his peace and unleash the pinkette's wrath. "I thought that you could appeal to everyone by showing your strength in duels in the tournament. That, and you can address the dimensional situation to a much bigger audience than just out on the streets."
Yuzu blinked, and her hand fell back to her side much to Yugo's relieved sigh. "Oh." A small smile graced her face after she thought about it longer. "You know, that's actually a great idea Yugo, thanks! Although I wished you had told me about this before you went ahead and entered my name." She said that last part rather glumly.
"Ah, sorry about that." Yugo apologized, before starting to pack up his tool box. "I'll be sure to remember that next time. Though on the bright side, getting into the Friendship Cup will most certainly help us get reunited with your Lancer friends, so that's a plus." His aquamarine eyes looked at Yuzu's clothes. "Although with ratty and dirty clothes like that I'm not sure if you'd wanna be seen if that's what you plan on wearing during the Friendship Cup. Thankfully, Rin's clothes should match your size as well so-"
Whatever else he was going to say was cut off by the sound of Yuzu's fan slapping his head and her scolding hot words yelling loudly throughout the room.
Yuzu just spoke loud enough over Yugo's cry of pain. "I thought you would have learned by now to not comment on how a lady dresses."
"Right right. I'm sorry." Yugo spoke whilst rubbing his injured forehead, aquamarine eyes closed in pain.
"Honestly, I have no idea how your friend Rin has managed to deal with your big mouth for so many years." A small smile edged onto the pink haired girl's lips. "I suppose it's another one of the mysteries of the universe."
"Wha- Hey! What do you mean by that!?" Yugo spoke out incredulously. The boy waved one fist out at Yuzu in a joking manner. That is, until both Yugo and Yuzu's duel disks gave rapid loud bings at the same time. The two joking friends stopped what they were doing to give their duel disks a strange look. That is, until Yugo's face drastically turned into one of excitement. "Oh shit! That might be the Friendship Cup committee right now!" Excitement running through his veins, Yugo sprung up from his spot on the floor, grabbed his tool box, and ran over to his duel disk which was sitting on a work table.
"Already?" Yuzu asked, suspicious as she too followed Yugo and picked up her duel disk. "That would have to be a rather quick decision. I'm not sure about this."
However, the rest of her doubt was erased as Yugo gave a loud cheer and jumped high into the air with a fist pump. "Yes! I'm in the tournament! I actually got accepted! I'm in!" The banana banged duelist couldn't help but cheer words similar to those as he made his excited disbelief known. "I wish Rin were here. That way we could celebrate together like we had originally planned." While his excitement dimmed as he mourned for his missing best friend, it didn't completely die and instead turned into one of determined pride. "But I know she would be proud of me right now. I'm one step closer to accomplishing our dreams, Rin."
"Congratulations, Yugo." Yuzu cheered for her newfound friend as well, before checking her own duel disk. "Well, it seems that I've been accepted into the tournament as well. Great!"
"Great?" Yugo looked at Yuzu with a near gobsmacked expression. "Just great?! Yuzu! This is fantastic! It's waaay more than just great! How come you're not nearly as pumped about this as I am!?" With that, Yugo gave the pink haired teen a strong side armed hug and began to celebrate for them both. "This is every single good word in an entire dictionary great! You got in too Yuzu!"
Yuzu's periwinkle eyes widened in shock at Yugo suddenly giving her a congratulatory side hug. Just as she was about to comment about it, their duel disks gave another loud ding. This time both teens looked down at their duel disks in confusion.
"Okay…" Yuzu drawled, periwinkle eyes looking down at her duel disk. "If we already got a message from the committee saying we were accepted into the tournament, then who's messaging us right now?"
Yugo's lips pursed. "No clue." The Synchro user shook his head, making his yellow bangs fly around wildly as he reworded his sentence. "I mean, for me it could be one of my pals that I hang around with in the Commons, but you? I thought people couldn't message you from across Dimensions?"
"They can't." Yuzu agreed, as she cautiously picked up her own duel disk. "I already tried it and it didn't work." Periwinkle eyes widened. "But what if they came over here and messaged me."
Yugo's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he saw Yuzu's expression turn into one of jaw dropped shock. "Uh, Yuzu?"
"Read the message, Yugo." Yuzu just stated softly, and with a worried expression Yugo complied and read the new message on his duel disk.
Meet at this location at midnight sharp. It's time that the team was reunited once more.
Underneath that small message was a line of coordinates dictating the meeting spot's location. "Uhh, what is this? Because it's kinda weird and freaky." Aquamarine eyes looked towards Yuzu once again. "Do you know who this is?"
Numbly, Yuzu shook her head, pink pigtails bobbing at the action. "Oh yeah, I know who this is." Her eyes met Yugo's once more. "We met with him three days ago."
After a moment of thinking back, Yugo gave a similar look to match Yuzu's. "Oh." It was quiet for a moment. "I suppose that means we should get ready then, huh?"
"Yeah." Yuzu agreed, before turning around to go and do just that.
Before she left the room, Yugo managed to shout one very important question. "How the hell did this guy manage to find our duel disk information to message us in the first place?!"
Yuzu pursed her lips in thought. How indeed. At this rate, she just chalked it up to because Zero can.
. . .
The crowd began to cheer loudly as music started to beat in the air and red paper lamps began to glow in the darkened area of the Detention Facility's cafeteria floor. Spotlights burst to life and zeroed in on the one and only kingpin of the Detention Facility who stood at the very top platform of the recently constructed stage for their duel tournament. His impressive amount of collected rare cards sitting behind him in the shadows of the stage's platform. All of the inmates of the male's section of the Detention Facility filled the cafeteria floor to the very brim, with all of the section's guards watching from the walls of the ground floor. Even the director of the Detention Facility was there with some rather muscular guards to surround him and keep him safe while he watched the spectacle about to occur.
Once his vision cleared, Tokumatsu raised one arm up into the air, and began to make the old speech he used to make while he took the role as 'Enjoy Chojiro'. Everyone quickly quieted down at his raised arm, and listened to his words intently. "Dueling is life!" He stated loudly, voice boisterous and filled to the brim with energetic excitement. "You only live once! If there are days you win, there are also days you will lose!" Tokumatsu turned his head to the left. "Do not be ashamed of defeat." He turned to the right next. "Do not be proud of victory." He looked back towards the middle and held his arms out to address everyone, voice booming. "All in all, let's enjoy!"
The crowd of inmates went nuts to Tokumatsu's speech. Many were cheering the old kingpin's name 'Enjoy Chojiro' while others just screamed their voices raw.
With the crowd calling his name, Tokumastu jumped off of the platform he was on to land on the second stage. The ground rumbled underneath his feet, but the newly constructed stage remained strong. "It's all thanks to a certain youngster, who has lit a new fire in me once again." The kingpin threw a hand out towards a certain someone's direction. "Am I right, Yuya Sakaki?"
With that key phrase said, more spotlights burst to life and singled out the tomato haired teen. His duel disk once more strapped onto his arm and a big grin on his face. The lights made the teen's scarlet eyes burn with a fiery passion as he yelled back. "It may have been me who relit your passion for dueling once more, but it was you who helped the flames grow and brun to be as bright and strong as they are now!" The crowd cheered at the teen's words.
Tokumatsu did a 'come at me' gesture, his grin nearly taking up the entire half of his face. "Then come up here, and face me once more, Yuya!"
"With pleasure!" With that said, Yuya began to sprint down the empty pathway provided for him and towards the stage. Cheers being thrown around all over the room and echoing out so the entire Detention Facility could hear them. The Pendulum user waved towards people here and there as he passed, before he jumped up the steps towards the first section of the stage two at a time. He only stopped once he came face to face with none other than Sylvio Sawatari.
He missed the sight of Crow, Shinji, and Damon rummaging around in the kitchen as quietly and unsuspecting as possible.
The brunette curled one of his few blonde bangs around his finger. Silvery grey eyes filled with excitement and mirth as he grinned towards Yuya cockily. "So, once again, you and I meet on the battlefield to duke it out, Yuya." Sylvio gave a haughty laugh and gestured dramatically towards the tomato haired teen. "But don't think I'll let you get away with victory this time, Yuya. Your time as my rival is over, for I shall surpass you here and now!" Some people cheered louder at Sylvio's proclamation and call of challenge.
"We'll see about that, Sylvio." Yuya grinned cheekily back towards his fellow Lancer. Sylvio's eye twitched as the urge for battle entered his gaze before both boys' attentions were brought back towards Tokumatsu.
"Now then." The older man clapped his hands twice for silence so he could be heard throughout the crowd. "Since there's three of us, this will be a battle royale!"
"Yeah, about that." Sylvio interjected casually, gaining the entire crowd's attention and making the room quiet. "A battle royale is just what I was thinking, but how about we step it up a notch."
"Oh?" Tokumatsu raised an intrigued eyebrow. "And just what would that be?"
"Oh…" Sylvio drew his words out and shrugged casually. "It's only the ultimate evolution in dueling. An Action Duel!" He stated, both of his arms spread out as he looked the older man in the eyes. "How about that?! Or are you too afraid you won't understand how Action Duels work?"
The crowd 'oohed' at Sylvio's audacity, but Tokumatsu only laughed boisterously. "I have no qualms against an Action Duel. I only ask what an Action Duel is."
"Action Duels are duels that unfolds upon an Action Field, and makes the use of Action Cards scattered upon the field." Yuya began to explain to Tokumatsu and the inmates who didn't understand what an Action Duel was, which was just about the entire inmate population.
"Now that sounds interesting! Bring it on then!" Tokumatsu roared.
"Then it's decided!" Sylvio yelled loudly to the entire crowd, getting them to cheer once more. "Action Field, on!" The burnette raised one of his arms into the air and snapped his fingers. His duel disk then began to do the rest of the work.
"Field Spell, Crossover." With that, multiple blue platforms began to appear in thin air around the stadium and above the spectators' heads. Making the crowd awed and cheer at the sight.
"Duelists, gather upon the palace of battle!" Sylvio began the chant he had memorized by heart back in his home world.
"With your monsters, kick off of the ground, and dance in the skies!" Yuya spoke next. The two Lancers giving a stare down.
"And storm the field!" Sylvio yelled, voice an octave higher because of the adrenaline rush he was getting. "Watch! This is the ultimate evolution in the history of dueling! Action!" The burnette raised one hand and snapped his fingers.
"DUEL!"
TOKUMATSU LP- 4000
YUYA LP- 4000
SYLVIO LP- 4000
With that declaration, a bunch of cards scattered around the field much to the crowd's shock. What was even more shocking was that as soon as the duel began, Sylvio took a running start and leaped off of the stage and high into the air. The crowd cried out as the burnette began the duel off with a bang.
"First, I'll show you the essence of Action Cards and what it means to be in an Action Duel!" The Lancer proclaimed as he landed on one of the floating blue platforms. Sylvio picked up one of the many cards scattered across the area, and held it up so that the entire audience could see. "Even without drawing and battling, Action Cards are available from the very first turn!" Everyone listened to the burnette's words with rapt attention. "Once a duel starts the cards scatter all over the field for duelists to find and use. As you will now see when I activate the Action Spell Illumination!" With that, all of the lanterns scattered across the stage and cafeteria began to glow much more brightly than they were before. "Let's dazzle our stage and entrance our audience with vibrant colors now, shall we." The crowd cheered in approval. "That's not all either. Once per turn, the Summoning and Special Summoning of monsters cannot be negated." The teen curled one blonde bang and grinned at the cards in his hand. "Now then, I'll show this to those who haven't seen it yet!" Sylvio showed two cards towards the audience. "I set Scale 1 Devil Heel and Scale 8 Funky Comedian on the Pendulum Scale!"
The two monsters belonging to Sylvio rose up in their separate blue pillars in a stunning display. The inmates and guards all cheered as they watched Sylvio begin to perform his own Pendulum Summon.
"Pendulum!"
"Pendulum!"
"Pendulum!"
"With this I can summon monsters from Levels 2 through 7 all at the same time." Sylvio grinned as the audience chanted.
"You use that Summoning Method as well?" Tokumatsu asked, surprised but not disappointed at the two Pendulum monsters and their bright blue pillars.
"You bet all your rare cards I do!" Sylvio stated, and gestured upwards with one hand. "Now, I Pendulum Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Abyss Actor Big Star!" The Level 7 ace monster belonging to Sylvio Sawatari graced the field with a marvelous stage bow. "This is the power of Pendulum Summoning!"
ABYSS ACTOR BIG STAR LV.7 ATK:2500 DEF:1800
The crowd ate it up.
"Now, to make this duel even more entertaining. I activate the Continuous Spell Abyss Stage - Treasure Boat of the Lucky Seven!" With the spell activated, an enormous wooden pirate ship with its sails tied up and anchor down appeared into existence right beside the stage. The wood was painted mostly black with red lines and streaks, had an orange sail, and three white actor masks nailed to the front of the ship.
"Woah!" Yuya gazed up at the big ship in awe alongside Tokumatsu.
"Once per each respective player's turn, one monster gets on the ship, and all monsters on my field are destroyed!" Sylvio began to jump between platforms until he landed on the wooden railing on the front of his ship. "Come along Big Star, let us board our treasure ship."
Following his master's lead, Big Star gave one big leap and joined Sylvio onto the ship. The actor's clothes instantly changed with a poof of smoke, a giant red shield designed to look like a fish in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. Baggy fishing clothes and a hat dressed in light purple, gold, and blue colors suddenly on the monster's person.
"Now then, anyone can climb aboard!" Sylvio raised both of his arms up, and took in the cheering crowd. The burnette puffing up like a rooster at the attention. Greyish blue eyes looked between Yuya and Tokumatsu with hidden mischief. "I guarantee it'll be to your advantage. I end my turn!"
"This is so cool!" Yuya complimented Sylvio as he made his way onto the ship even though the tomato haired teen didn't have a monster himself yet. "I never knew you had a card like this in your deck Sylvio."
"Of course you wouldn't!" The burnette stated somewhat haughtily, waving one hand to the side and stuck his nose up into the air just a tad. "I've been waiting to use it once we got the chance to duel once more."
. . .
10:40 P.M.
"Did you notify the Director of the Detention Facility of my incoming arrival?" Jean-Micheal Roger questioned his current bodyguard and chauffeur.
The man nodded, black glasses over his eyes as he meticulously scanned the streets of the Tops. "Yes sir. I've also informed him that you wish to speak to the girl, Serena, alone. She's currently in a solitary cell near the top of the women's section of the Detention Facility."
"Wonderful. Let us be on our way then." With a nod from Roger, the chauffeur closed the door to Roger's white limo, got into the driver seat, and began to quickly make their way towards the Detention Facility.
. . .
10:45 P.M.
"So, do you two know what you'll be doing?" Zero's modulated voice questioned. His blank mask looked at both Yuto and Shun for a solid five seconds to make sure they knew their roles.
All three Xyz rebels were currently hiding in one of the few alleyways away from the Detention Facility. There was only one way in and out of the Detention Facility on the surface level, and that was the one road at the front of the building. The rest of the building was surrounded by miles of sea, which was probably why it was built there. Jagged rocks and steep inclines surrounding all sides of the building alongside its cold metal walls. At the moment, Zero was leaning against his newly made and polished D-Wheel. Both Shun and Yuto were looking out of the alley towards the building holding a good chunk of their Lancer members within.
"We do." Yuto affirmed with a nod of his head, grey eyes narrowed and a serious scowl on his face.
"We're the distraction while you speed in and strike at the heart of the Detention Facility." Shun restated. "Make the distraction big and dramatic so they'll be more focused on us instead of you. That way you can get to the prison's control room and bring about even more chaos." Both Xyz rebels turned back to face their leader. "Should be a breeze."
"That's correct." Zero looked at his duel disk for a moment. "At the moment, a battle royale duel should be going on between Yuya, Sylvio, and a man by the name of Tokumatsu. No one will know you're coming until it's too late. Most of our Lancers will be located in the men's section of the Detention Facility, while Serena is in solitary confinement in the women's section. I'll take care of getting Serena, you two just focus on keeping the others together alongside any newfound members or allies our imprisoned Lancers may have made."
"Right." Both Xyz rebels nodded this time.
Zero looked down at his duel disk once again, this time taking note of the time. 10:50 P.M.
"Get into position now." Zero ordered. "The operation begins at 11 sharp."
Wordlessly, the three said their fair wells and went into action. Yuto and Shun activated their duel disks, and summoned Dark Rebellion and Rise Falcon respectively. Silently, the two jumped up onto their duel monsters, and they flew high up into the sky without another word.
"Hmph." Masked dichromatic eyes looked down to carefully take in each detail of his newfound creation. The D-Wheel was painted mainly black, with yellow and gold as a secondary base. It was mainly designed like a sport tourer motorcycle, but it was more advanced than those in Britannian. It had two big main headlights on the front that shined a yellow light with two smaller ones underneath those that shined red. The D-Wheel lacked the mirrors motorcycles in his world had, but that was because they were useless for a D-Wheel. A dark, nearly one way, glass reached from the front of the D-Wheel's hood and over the spot one would place their duel disk for a riding duel. On the back were two red rear lights, the two tires holding the machine up were fresh and ready for use. A rather comfortable black leather seat and small compartment embedded into the D-Wheel behind it nearly finished its design.
The most noticeable feature about this newly created machine though, was the big black glass orb embedded into the very front of the D-Wheel. Between the headlights and welded with the glass above it, it almost looked like a pure black eye staring out from the D-Wheel itself.
"This should be interesting." Zero spoke quietly to himself, and took his duel disk off of his arm to install it into his D-Wheel. The black glass above the duel disk suddenly lit up in a holographic display and acted like an ipad's glass screen. The headlights to the D-Wheel suddenly switched on, and the engine gave a loud, smooth rumble that was like music to the masked revolutionary's ears. The glass orb came to life, and a reddish pink beam of energy shot out of the orb before it expanded to surround the entire D-Wheel in it's reddish pink glow almost like a shield. The shield being in the form of multiple hexagonal shapes surrounding both the machine and its rider. The underside of the D-Wheel roared to life, and a red glow was shown underneath the machine like the flames of hell itself were underneath it. "Let's see how well this will test out in the field."
. . .
10:55 P.M.
"Alright then, it's my turn." Tokumatsu stated, and got into a crouched position before drawing with his old catchphrase. "Enjoy!" The crowd loved it.
"We've been waiting for you, boss!"
"Enjoy!"
"I suppose since you've been getting into these Action Cards I might as well join in! I'll enjoy this Action Duel too." Quickly, and rather spry for a man his age, Tokumatsu leaped up onto the ship as well, grabbing an Action Card that was stuck to the side of a lantern as he passed. "I activate the Action Card Heat-Up Sound!" The lanterns once more brightened up, and this time began to shake back and forth to a catchy beating music that filled the air. "Once per turn, the activation of Spells cannot be negated."
The crowd began to jump and move to the beat, some even starting to dance as they cheered. The two lackeys that were beside Tokumatsu had begun to chant 'Enjoy' while moving back and forth in a pattern.
"But that's inconsequential." The kingpin of the Detention Facility turned to address the lively crowd. "What's important in entertainment is this liveliness!" He picked up one of the cards in his hand. "I activate the Spell Super Koi Koi from my hand! I draw three cards from my deck and Special Summon any and all Flower Cardian monsters I draw!"
"But non-Cardian cards are sent to the Graveyard." Yuya stated. The music getting stuck in his head and making him bob his head to the beat.
Sylvio grinned at the older adult. "Not only that, but you'll take 1000 points of damage for each one, old man!" The burnette shrugged. "You sure you wanna do that?"
"If I don't enjoy this, then my name would be obsolete!" Tokumatsu shot back.
"Alright then, your loss." Sylvio's grin grew bigger.
"So then, come on!" Tokumatsu gestured to the crowd, getting the inmates to cheer as well.
"Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!"
"Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!"
"My first draw!" Tokumatsu yelled out over the chanting crowd. Brown eyes looked towards the card he had drawn with a shiny glint. "The first card is Flower Cardian - Clover with Boar!" The crowd cheered. "The second card! Come on! Come on!" The kingpin drew, and his grin hiked up an inch. "Is Flower Cardian - Maple with Deer!" The crowd yelled in excitement.
"Don't tell me he's going to draw all three in a row!" Yuya exclaimed. A bit taken back by the kingpin's luck in drawing.
"There's no way. Chances like that are extremely low!" Sylvio stated, yet his eyes held doubt.
"His draws are strong as always!"
"That goes without saying!"
"Now! For the third and final draw! Come on! Come on! Come on!" Tokumatsu shouted, making the crowd shout along with him. "My third draw is none other than Flower Cardian - Peony with Butterfly!" The crowd screamed exuberantly. The three Flower Cardian monsters appeared on the field and locked together instantly.
FLOWER CARDIAN - CLOVER WITH BOAR LV.7 ATK:100 DEF:1000
FLOWER CARDIAN - MAPLE WITH DEER LV.10 ATK:1000 DEF:1000
FLOWER CARDIAN - PEONY WITH BUTTERFLY LV. 6 ATK:1000 DEF:1000
"No way!" Sylvio stared, jaw dropping at how Tokumatsu actually managed to get a Flower Cardian monster on all three draws.
"Nice one Tokumatsu!" Yuya cheered. The tomato haired teen looking at Sylvio's expression and immediately devolving into laughter. The burnette glared back at Yuya with a look saying that he will get revenge later.
"With this effect, the Attack and Defense of all Special Summoned monsters is reduced to zero! Their levels also become 2." Tokumatsu explained further.
FLOWER CARDIAN - CLOVER WITH BOAR LV.7 = 2
FLOWER CARDIAN - MAPLE WITH DEER LV.10 = 2
FLOWER CARDIAN - PEONY WITH BUTTERFLY LV. 6 = 2
FLOWER CARDIAN - CLOVER WITH BOAR ATK:100 = 0 DEF:1000 = 0
FLOWER CARDIAN - MAPLE WITH DEER ATK:1000 = 0 DEF:1000 = 0
FLOWER CARDIAN - PEONY WITH BUTTERFLY ATK:1000 = 0 DEF:1000 = 0
"I tune my Level 2 Clover with Boar and Level 2 Maple with Deer with my Level 2 tuner Peony with Butterfly!" The three monsters separated, two turning into green rings while the third turned into bright blue stars signifying a Synchro Summon. "Ferocity of a boar! The gallantry of a deer! The beauty of a butterfly! I Synchro Summon!" Enjoy Chojiro chants. "Level 8! Flower Cardian Boardefly!" The Synchro monster was unleashed onto the field with a mighty war cry.
FLOWER CARDIAN BOARDEFLY LV.6 ATK:2000 DEF:2000
"Now then Boardefly! Board the Treasure Ship of the Lucky Seven!" As soon as the Synchro monster's feet touched the wood of the ship it's clothes were changed. The monster now resembling that of a pirate thief in mostly green robes with orange and red outlining. Boardefly held a huge ransack over its shoulder in one hand and a giant mallet in the other.
"Well well. Turns out the old man can be quite the charmer too once he's motivated!" Sylvio taunted as he looked towards Tokumatsu from across the boat. The crowd nearly drowned Sylvio's voice from being heard.
"It's just natural." Tokumatsu stated much to his adoring fans' glee. "I end my turn. Now Yuya, you're up next!"
"Let's go Yuya!" Gongenzaka bellowed out over the rest of the entire crowd.
All eyes went to the tomato haired teen. Scarlet eyes sparkled and a grin stretched across his face as Yuya got prepared to entertain his audience as per usual. The boy raised both of his hands in the air, and a spotlight fell onto his figure as he yelled out to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen!"
A mechanical screech cut through the air like a jagged knife and right through the bright atmosphere. Almost like a record had been scratched. All of the music came to a sharp halt and everyone instantly went so quiet you could hear someone sneeze. The three duelists all exchanged quick, confused glances while every occupant became tense.
Another metallic shriek, this time there was a loud hiss alongside it. With furrowed eyebrows, Yuya, Tokumatsu, and Sylvio all figured out that the direction of the noise was coming from above them. All three looked up in unison.
Two small blurs, one in the shape of a bird and the other in the shape of a dragon, were quickly becoming less than small blurs and coming closer at a very rapid pace. Their figures could just barely be seen through the glass roof and past the spotlights while at night. It didn't look like they were going to be stopping anytime soon. In fact, the two familiar forms only seemed to be getting faster.
Both were heading straight towards them.
"EVERYONE GET DOWN!" Tokumatsu was the first one to scream that. All three duelists ducked down alongside most of the other prisoners.
All of it happened in the span of a few seconds, and everyone just managed to duck down when the strong glass roof above them crashed in with a sound like that of booming thunder. The spotlights above them all fizzled and flickered before finally dying out and started falling alongside tons of shards of glass of varying shapes and sizes. Everyone within the Detention Facility all screamed in alarm at the sudden intrusion to what was once a fun and entertaining duel.
TOKUMATSU LP- 4000 = DNF
YUYA LP- 4000 = DNF
SYLVIO LP- 4000 = DNF
Raidraptor Rise Falcon gave a third loud mechanical caw, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon not too far behind it's ally and giving an echoing hiss as well. Both spread their wings together in sync and made the falling glass and debris all scatter against the wall and higher floors of the Detention Facility, leaving all of those on the ground floor unharmed. The Xyz monsters gave a huge war cry that reverberated throughout the entire prison as they began to lower towards the ground floor and their prey. On the backs of their monsters, Shun and Yuto stood with their duel disks out and already activated. Stern and stony expressions on their faces as eerie bright yellow and stormy grey eyes looked around the ground floor for their targets.
Most of the inmates scattered like terrified ants while others instantly started rioting and lashed out at the unaware guards that were caught by surprise. The sheer amount of inmates fighting back or panicking immediately overwhelmed the unprepared guards.
Carefully, Yuya slowly unraveled from the tight ball he had curled up in to protect himself from any possible glass. Scarlet eyes hesitantly looking up towards the cause of this sudden turn of events. "Shun?! Yuto!?"
"Hell yeah!" Sylvio cheered as Rise Falcon picked up an attacking guard with its beak and flung them to the side callously. "It's about time you guys showed up! Where the hell have you been?!"
"Who are they? What is going on!" Tokumatsu yelled out in obvious confusion. His eyes looked up at the two fighting Xyz monsters with obvious suspicion before his gaze turned to Yuya. "You know them?"
Yuya gave a somewhat shaky smile and sheepish laugh. "Uh, yeah. They're our allies. Fellow Lancers."
"Yuya!"
Scarlet eyes snapped over to where he heard his name being called. The cry came from none other than Gongenzaka. The sturdy teen standing beside Dennis and forcefully pushing Crow, Shinji, and Damon out of the kitchen and into the open cafeteria floor. Obviously struggling to keep everyone together until Yuto took notice and came to assist.
The tomato haired teen watched as Yuto commanded Dark Rebellion to carefully pick up the group of people and bring them onto the higher elevated stage and away from the chaotic crowd before they got swallowed up in it. The group turned out to be a shocked Gongenzaka, ecstatic Dennis, and very confused Crow, Shinji, and Damon. Shun ordered Rise Falcon to continue to help the inmates fight back against the guards, not that it was any trouble. With his orders given and understood, the Raidraptor user jumped off from his Xyz monster to land on the stage just a few feet away from the dropped off group.
The sound of jets packs filled the air and all of the Lancers and their allies looked up to see three people dressed in black SWAT like gear descend from the newfound hole in the roof. Duel disks at the ready as they took action.
"I got this." Yuto stated, and together he and Dark Rebellion flew up to meet their enemies with a challenging war cry.
"Oh we're saved!" Dennis exclaimed happily, doing an exaggerated twirl because of all of the energy he had running through his system. "I was getting tired of scrubbing floors and staring at dull grey walls."
"It's nice to see you again Shun." Gongenzaka greeted seriously. "Glad to see none of you were captured by Security like us."
"Hmph." Shun narrowed his molten yellow eyes towards the Performage user with obvious distaste before he decided to address Yuya. "Is this everyone?"
Yuya opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted when Crow decided to speak. "Hey, don't mean to be rude, but what the hell is going on?!" The older teen gestured to the absolute chaos going on around them. Inmates rioting and beginning to turn on each other just to fight now that the guards were just about disposed of. He pointed towards Shun. "Who are you!"
"Ah, right." Yuya eyed the rash and agitated inmates below them wearily as he introduced everyone. "Crow, Shinji, this is Shun Kurosaki and his friend Yuto Raiden who is… Busy currently." Everyone cringed as one of the SWAT team members came spiralling down and crashed into the kitchen. "Shun, this is Chojiro Tokumatsu, Crow Hogan, Shinji Weber, and- I'm sorry you're new." Yuya apologized to Damon, who gave a shrug. "Anyway! They're some friends we made while being separated here in the City."
"I know who they are." Shun revealed, causing everyone to blink and look at Shun in surprise. "We're breaking you all out of here and meeting up with the rest of the Lancers."
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Sylvio asked rhetorically before gesturing to Rise Falcon. "Let's get on your pet bird and get the hell out of here!"
The Xyz user glared at Sylvio. "Rise Falcon isn't a 'pet bird', and no one is going to be moving from this spot."
"What?!"
"You want to help us escape yet you're making us all stay here?!" Shinji yelled incredulously over the cacophony of other raised voices and chaos. "Are you stupid? Those are two completely opposing statements!"
Now Shun turned a much more icy glare towards the purple and cyan haired Synchro user. "If you want to get out of here with all of your shit and everyone safe and unharmed then I suggest you shut up and back the fuck down right now. If you didn't realize it yet we have a plan we are sticking to, and it requires keeping everyone here in one place."
Shinji's green eyes widened at Shun snapping at him before they too narrowed in a glare. "Why you-!"
"Zero should be initiating the next phase of the plan any minute now." All eyes turned up towards Yuto. The second Xyz rebel having taken care of the SWAT members quickly and decisively. Dark Rebellion landed onto the stage just a few feet away from the rest of the group, and the Phantom Knights user jumped off of his ace. Grey eyes looked up to Dark Rebellion. "Watch the inmates."
With a hiss that made Dark Rebellion look like it was almost smiling, the dragon spread its wings and leaped up into the air towards a higher prison floor.
"Hey there, Yuto." Yuya greeted happily, which Yuto returned with a softer scowl than what was originally on his face.
"Hello Yuto!" Dennis greeted happily with a silly wave. The rest of the Lancers looked at their member in a similar, if more calm, silent greeting while the Synchro citizens looked between Shun and Yuto with uncertainty.
The Xyz user stopped in his tracks for a moment, a sour look appearing on Yuto's face as if he had eaten ten lemons at once. "Hi." Grey eyes turned away to look towards the rest of the Lancers and Yuto continued walking towards the group as if he had never stopped in the first place. Dennis blinked a couple of times and watched Yuto's back with a confused if albeit worried expression. That sour look on Yuto's face went away once he had passed Dennis and grey eyes looked at everyone to do a headcount before looking at Shun. "This is everyone. All we have to do now is wait."
"Which shouldn't be long now." Shun crossed his arms and closed his yellow eyes. Rise Falcon perching on the very top of the stage's third level roof to give a loud victorious mechanical shriek.
"Whose Zero?" Tokumatsu questioned with narrowed eyes. "I suppose this means that there is more than you two here running around the Detention Facility."
"Zero's here too?!" Yuya spoke up for a moment, scarlet eyes wandering around the area for any sign of the masked man. "Where is he?"
"He should be making his way towards the central control room right now." Shun answered stiffly. The Xyz user glaring at a group of inmates that were about to climb up the stage. Almost as if Rise Falcon could read it's master's thoughts, the mechanical falcon gave an ear piercing screech that made the prisoners instantly back down. Everyone who wasn't prepared for that loud noise immediately covered their ears, faces scrunching up in momentary pain.
"Figures he would be the one to make plans on busting us out of jail." Sylvio stated plainly, twirling a blonde bang around his finger. The battle royale between him, Yuya, and Tokumatsu obviously over now. A sullen look on the burnette's face. "Just wished you guys could have waited until AFTER our duel."
"Sorry for the inconvenience. We'll be sure to take your opinion next time we decide to break you out of prison and come back tomorrow." Shun shot back sarcastically. "Until that moment comes, please direct your complaints to someone who properly gives a shit." One of Sylvio's eyes twitched, but otherwise he didn't give any other complaints.
"Jeez. You act like coming to rescue us was a bad thing." He grumbled, but no one really cared to respond to that comment.
"Okay, hold up for a moment." Gongenzaka raised a hand to gain everyone's attention. "What about Serena? She's still somewhere in this prison." Everyone tensed at that important question besides Shun and Yuto.
Shun gave a raised eyebrow while Yuto spoke. "Zero is on it."
"What about our stuff? Our duel disks, gear?" Gongenzaka continued to question. "We'll need those if we intend to fight back or protect ourselves."
"Zero's got it. Storage isn't too far from the control room anyway." Yuto stated once more. Grey eyes looking up towards the open hole in the ceiling as a couple drops of rain began to pour in.
"Of course." Gongenzaka deadpanned. As if that answer wasn't lacking in details.
"What about Akaba? Is he here too?" Sylvio finally spoke up again. His substantial question actually managed to regain everyone's attention towards him.
"Yeah, do you guys know where Reiji, Riley, Tsukikage, and Ruri are?" Dennis questioned, a worried expression on his face.
"What about Yugo and Yuzu? Are they okay?" Yuya asked right after Dennis and Sylvio spoke their questions.
"Akaba is off doing who knows what with the Council of the City. Ruri, Tsukikage and the kid are with him." Shun replied while fiddling with his Lancer band and adjusting it. "Once we get out of here we'll be picking up Yuzu and Yugo before meeting with the rest and finally speak to this 'Council'." Once he was done adjusting his Lancer band, the dark haired teen brushed his shoulders off of any stray glass.
While Dennis and Yuya both gave big sighs of relief, Yuya especially, Sylvio gave the Xyz rebel an unhappy look. The burnette crossed his arms as his greyish blue eyes narrowed towards yellow. "What? So Akaba was just going to leave us in here or something to go and talk to this Council or whoever the hell runs this crazy city?"
"That's exactly what he was doing." Shun asserted.
"This conversation and reunion you guys have been having is great and all, but I'm rather positive that we should be leaving right about now. If we all want to escape together that is." Crow stated. The Synchro citizens having stayed back on the conversation until now, just taking it all in and processing. "Either that or a better explanation is needed, because I believe I speak for all of us when I say I am lost. Like, who the hell is Zero, Tsukikage, and this Akaba guy you keep talking about?!"
"You're one to talk about escaping together." Gongenzaka nearly growled as he looked towards the orange haired teen in disappointment. "Seeing as you and Shinji almost left us here to escape for yourselves while Yuya, Sylvio, and Tokumatsu dueled."
The shocked and hurt expression Yuya gave towards Crow made the Synchro user feel like he had kicked twelve cute and nice puppies. "You-! You tried to leave us? But why would you do that! I thought we were friends!"
"It's not like what you're thinking!" Crow waved his arms frantically as he saw all of the Lancers glare at him, Shinji, and Damon. "It's just that- Dammit. Yuya you have to understand. I need to get back to Amanda, Frank, and Tanner as fast as possible. You had managed to gain Tokumatsu as a friend and revive Enjoy Chojiro's spirit, so I knew you and your friends would be fine and safe. You guys would be taken care of while he was watching you."
"Yeah. Being safe while in prison!" Sylvio ground out. "That's rather contradictory don't you think?"
"Hey! Don't give him such a bad rap!" Shinji stood by Crow and defended his friend. "He's just concerned about the kids. Hell, we were only trying to get out of here for their sake!" The Synchro user ground his teeth together and looked at everyone Lancer in the eye. "They don't have anyone besides themselves and us out there." Damon silently stepped forward to give Crow his support as well. His eyes scanning the other suspiciously.
"Thank you, Shinji." Crow spoke quietly.
"I'm afraid I'll have to side with Crow and Shinji on this one." Tokumatsu spoke grimly. Everyone turned to see a rather grim expression on the man's face. "Life in the City, especially those who are Commons, is very hard and cruel. Even more so for children all alone and on the streets. Keeping children off of the streets, that's one of my reasons and big motivators in becoming Enjoy Chojiro in the first place."
A look of sympathy and understanding crossed everyone's face as they stewed on that thought. Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, it was Shun and Yuto that gave the most understanding looks. "I can understand your reason Crow." Yuya spoke softly, and though that hurt look was still in his scarlet eyes it also came with understanding. "You care deeply for them, and you've known them for years compared to us by only a few days." A small smile twitched on the Pendulum user's lips. "Besides, you made sure we would be okay here in the Detention Facility before trying to escape, so I appreciate it."
"Yuya…" Crow couldn't believe that they were being forgiven so easily. Not only from Yuya, but from most of the other Lancers as well. "I really am sorry. If I knew the kids had someone trustworthy, somewhere safe to go for a long period of time…"
It was then that Crow and all of the rioting inmates were cut off by a loud blaring alarm that made everyone cry out in shock and cover their ears. After ten seconds of the nonstop alarm booming around the entire Detention Facility, it was quickly cut off as the speakers crackled to life.
"Stop." Just like that, with that one word, it was like a switch had been flipped. All of the rioting inmates, screaming guards, and chaos was snuffed out like a candle's flame and everything became quiet. The Lancers all stilled, warily eyeing the sea of once fighting prisoners with rising anxiety. The inmates and guards themselves, hell even the Director of the Detention Facility, were all silently looking up towards the speakers with eerily blank faces, relaxed posture, and a glazed look in all of their eyes.
No one dared to speak lest this sudden spell be broken and chaos covered the field again. Even Rise Falcon and Dark Rebellion, both of which were duel monsters, were looking down at the crowd as if they had become mummified zombies.
"Good." The voice, most certainly belonging to the Lancer's co-leader, crackled through the speakers once more. "All conditions have been cleared for the first phase."
"Who is this?" Tokumatsu finally peeled his eyes away from the disturbing sight of the inmates towards the speakers himself. The hairs on the back of his neck raised. "What did you do to the rest of the inmates!"
"I am Zero." The masked man introduced himself. All of the many cameras in this section of the building turned on their axis to face the gathered together Lancers and their allies in unison in a creepy display. "For your second question I haven't even touched them. They know who I am and how far a reach I have in terms of connections."
Tokumatsu's brown eyes squinted up towards the many cameras with obvious suspicion. "Then how come I have never heard of you?"
"I know who you are Chojiro Tokumatsu, otherwise known as Enjoy Chojiro or the kingpin of the Detention Facility. You've simply been looking in the wrong places to find me." The rest of the Synchro citizens stiffened as the man began to call each of their names out one at a time. "Crow Hogan, Shinji Weber, Damon Lopez, I make sure to know and memorize everything about my newfound Lancers."
A pale, near ill look passed all of the mentioned people's faces. "Okay, that statement wasn't disturbing in the slightest. Not at all." Damon stated uneasily, yet his sarcasm was obvious.
"More like stalkerish." Shinji muttered. His green eyes scanning the still eerily silent inmates around them with a shudder and rubbed his arms. It felt like the temperature in the room had dropped dramatically.
"Wait a second." Crow himself glared up towards the cameras and clenched a fist. "What do you mean newfound Lancers? I don't know what's going through your head at the moment, but I don't remember signing up to become a Lancer!"
"Oh, you signed up as soon as you entered this Detention Facility alongside my other Lancers." Zero stated that like it was obvious.
"Can we get a move on." Shun growled out loud and deactivated his duel disk. Yuto being just a few steps behind him.
"Shun is right." Zero agreed calmly. "I believe we can discuss the details at a later date and time, because Security is currently blockading the only road in and out of this building. Shun, Yuto." Both boys stiffened to attention at their names being called. "Proceed with phase two, and please bring all of my Lancers to location point alpha. I've just sent Serena off to gather all of your things, so she will be meeting you all on the way."
"What about you?" Yuto asked with a raised eyebrow, but began to do what his masked leader had ordered and get everyone moving.
"You should know better than to worry about me by now, Yuto. I only need to do a few things first before that." Zero spoke blandly. The emotionless tone in his voice somehow getting through the speakers and modulator. "I expect you all to be out of this building by 11:30 unless you want to be greeted by a… rather nasty surprise." With that, Zero turned the cameras to the rest of the inmates. "Prisoners of the Detention Facility, hear me! As you already know, I am Zero, and at this very moment all of us are in a rather daunting situation. Security is knocking on our doors at this minute none too kindly, and should we fall here everyone will be in very deep trouble." At the mention of Security, a good chunk of the inmates gave a deep, angry growl. "So, here and now I ask for your help in fighting back against your oppressors. Should you trust me here and now, not only will I help you fight back and win against Security, you will also finally get your chance at getting out of this prison alive and with your freewill intact. I only ask for your assistance and for you all to follow my orders. What do you think about that proposition?"
At the question, all of the inmates, even the guards themselves, gave a rallying war cry in acceptance. The crowd getting hyped up at the opportunity to take revenge on Security and all of the abuse they've been put through.
A chuckle that sounded raspy through the speakers boomed out through the entire prison complex. "Very well. I can see that you all have accepted my proposition, good. In that case, everyone will proceed to the storage vault containing all of your things. Once you have gathered at least a duel disk and deck, head to the weapons room and arm yourselves with the tools that were once used to hold you down and prepare for battle." As soon as those commands left his masked lips, all of the prisoners and guards turned on their heel and began to pool through the huge prison door on the ground floor. Their actions and movements all happened in unison and without another single peep exiting their lips. Zero went to address his Lancers this time, all of which were watching the prisoners move through the Detention Facility with a near robotic gate in their step. "No one will stop you from getting where you need to be, but I suggest you get moving now while you still can. Security is trying to get through the hole you made in the roof, and while I have the outside of the building on lockdown it won't be long now before they bust in."
"Right. Until then, Zero." Shun answered, and the speakers shut off with a click signifying Zero was gone. Yellow eyes gave one last fleeting glance to the stragglers exiting the male's section of the Detention Facility before they swooped back to his charges. "Well, what are you all waiting for? Let's move."
That kickstarted the rest of the Lancers and their newfound members into action, and everyone began sprinting out of the area and down a few hallways. The group followed Yuto and Shun, both took the twists and turns with such confidence it was like they had travelled through the Detention Facility their entire lives rather than a few minutes.
"How do you guys even know where you're going?" Sylvio spoke up finally. The brunette having been spooked into silence at the inmates' weird behavior up until now. "Hell, I don't even know where we're going and I've been here longer than you."
"Zero." Both Shun and Yuto answered at the same time.
"That's not exactly a good enough answer you know!" Sylvio demanded rather loudly.
Yellow eyes did an exaggerated eye roll as Shun explained further. "Zero got the blueprints to this building and gave them to us to memorize."
Yuto spoke before anyone else could interject. "Don't ask us how he got them, we don't know."
"All we do know is that the guy left us while we were sleeping to go and do it by himself." This time, Shun's ire was directed at the masked man as they took another turn before reaching a flight of stairs. The doorway being so small and unnoticeable they nearly passed it. The flight of stairs themselves were small and skinny, so everyone would have to go one at a time in a single file line. "Which I tend to make him pay for tenfold when we get out of here and meet back up." It was obvious the Raidraptor user didn't appreciate being left behind and in the dark by Zero's sudden spur of the moment action.
"Wait, hold up a sec." Yuya looked towards the flight of stairs, and saw that they went down instead of up with confusion. "I thought we were already on the ground floor. Where do these stairs go?"
"I'm with Yuya on this." Gongenzaka spoke, eyeing the stairs and darkness with trepidation. "Isn't the only way out of this place the road, which is currently being blocked off by Security?"
"Well, technically there are three ways out of here if you really think about it." Dennis interjected finally. The orange haired teen having remained so uncharacteristically quiet that the rest of his Lancer allies nearly forgot he was even there to begin with. "There's the road obviously, but you can also get out of here by boat or by the air." The Performage user listed the options off on a finger each.
Crow pursed his lips. "That is, if you somehow manage to get that far."
"Which is rather unlikely and completely unheard of, until now at least." Tokumatsu added in. "Throughout all of my time here as the kingpin, I haven't seen a single prisoner actually manage to escape."
"Well then, you obviously haven't met Zero." Shun stated, and everyone began taking the stairs down two at a time. Hands sliding over the rail as they quickly descended downwards. "With all of the time I've known the guy, dude has always been one to break the norm and do the unexpected." The Xyz user clicked his tongue and shook his head lightly. "At this rate doing wild things like this has become a regular Tuesday affair."
"Oh boy. That sounds rather concerning." Dennis said lightly. The Performage user sounding actually worried for not only his health, but for everyone else's as well.
"Sounds like you're working for a nutjob." Shinji stated.
Yuto whipped his head around to glare at the man. "If you had seen the things we saw and done the things we had to do in order to survive then you wouldn't be saying that." The owner of Dark Rebellion ruffled his cape as they began to reach the bottom of the rather small stairway. "Sure, the dude can be rather uncanny and even eccentric at times, but he gets the job done and shows results."
"Like right now?" Yuya gestured to everything around them.
"Yeah, like right now." Yuto agreed with a small nod and near imperceptible twitch of his lips.
Yuya found himself breaking into an amused smile. "Well, you guys all certainly had me surprised."
Finally, everyone reached the bottom of the stairs and crowded around a closed door. Shun was trying to get the door to open, but it was so rusted it wouldn't budge. It was obvious that this place was practically abandoned due to its rusted state and the stale air floating around them.
"Dammit." Shun cursed under his breath as he tried to ram the door open with his shoulder, but it only gave a light screech of metal scratching metal and barely budged a centimeter.
"Here. I got this." Gongenzaka intervened before Shun could try and ram the door down again. The Raidraptor user wordlessly moved out of the way, and everyone watched as the Steadfast duelist gave the door a vicious kick with his stone sandal. The door flew open and busted against the wall on the other side, rust flecks floating around in the air before settling on the ground.
"Thanks." Shun said stiffly before walking through the door.
"Ugh, where are we? It smells like death itself down here." Sylvio griped, and plugged his nose with one hand as they continued their advance. A loud commotion was going on above them, but it just barely managed to echo down here. "Are you sure there isn't another way out of here? Like back through that hole and on your Xyz monsters?"
"We can't take everyone that way, and we'll get hunted down by Security if we did decide to go with that option." Yuto shook his head. Though the smell seemed to be getting to everyone if his furrowed eyebrows were anything to go by. The Xyz user took out a flashlight he had on a keychain and flicked it on, wordlessly taking the lead. "Besides, with Zero providing a big enough distraction that looks like a grandstand. We'll be able to slip away completely unnoticed and forgotten until it's too late to stop us."
"Yeah, but what about Serena? Shouldn't we have met up with her by now?" Dennis questioned, his face covered by the crook of his elbow. "Should we have waited for her to catch up?"
"She has all of our stuff too." Crow added in.
"She should be just up ahead. There are only two entry points into this tunnel, and Serena was closer to the second one." Yuto explained, helping to quell any rising anxiety. "Just trust in us that our plan will go smoothly."
"For once." Shun interjected.
Yuto's grey eyes looked behind his shoulder and into Shun's own. "You're not helping." Though this was a serious situation, an amused glint flickered through both of their eyes.
"Hey, I'm just saying." Shun shrugged with faux innocence. "All of Zero's plans always seem to go wrong somehow. Frankly, I find it to be a miracle in and of itself that his plans actually end up working sometimes."
"Okay, but seriously. Where are we going?" Sylvio finally demanded loudly. "It smells like crap down here!"
"That's because there probably is crap down here." Yuto finally answered.
That made Sylvio come to a screeching halt, making Gongenzaka and Yuya smack into his back. Thankfully, none of them fell down at the burnette's sudden stop. "Wait, no-" A sick look passed Sylvio's face. "Oh please don't tell me where I think we are-"
"We're in the sewers." Shun answered plainly. The Raidraptor didn't even bother to stop when answering that, and instead just kept walking forward alongside Yuto.
Sylvio for his part, looked like he was going to either pass out, vomit, or do both at the same time. Yet, he numbly started walking forward again after hearing Yuya and Gongenzaka yelling at him to move without doing all of the above. "Why? Why did it have to be the sewers?"
"Ugh!" Dennis cried out, the Performage user looking at the bottom of his shoe with disgust. "I'm never going to get this smell out of my nose!"
"Let's just meet up with Serena, get our stuff, and then get the hell out of here." Crow grumbled.
"Agreed." Everyone spoke up at nearly the same time.
. . .
It was an easy feet to get the guards posted at the Detention Facility's main door to open the thick metal gates. His D-Wheel ran faster than any cheetah or horse could ever hope to match, and blurred past the doors almost as soon as they cracked open. The engine purring like a spoiled cat as it finally got to be tested and put in action. The D-Wheel's first test run going smoothly so far.
It was even easier to make the doors to the female's section of the Detention Facility burst open. Zero turned his D-Wheel to the side and came to a screeching halt at the entrance. Shockingly, there were hardly any female prisoners, certainly much less than those in the male's section. Their orange garbs sticking out like a thumb with the bleak grey and steel background of the prison.
There's probably not as many people here because they magically 'disappear' or end up 'missing' without a trace. Most certainly to the black market or human trafficking I'm sure. Zero thought with a grim and disgusted look on his face behind his mask. Those who were still here probably had an actual reason as to why they ended up here, and were too volatile to be sold.
"Why hello there." Zero greeted casually much to every prisoner's surprised shock.
"Who the hell are you?!" No one expected a masked man to suddenly bust the door down on top of a D-Wheel and greet them like it was a casual Monday thing.
Instead of giving the prisoner's question a response. The revolutionary's mask turned towards one of the guards slumped over by the doors. "Is this everyone within the female's section?"
"Besides that one girl you wanted left out, yes." The guard droned dully.
"Good." With that, the compartment on the left side of Zero's mask slid open to reveal his geass, and look at every inmate in the eye. "I order you all to follow my orders until I say the phrase 'The Black King releases you'. Understood?"
Those familiar red rings flickering to life in each and every prisoner's eyes before they even had the chance to respond. Their wills being crushed and circumvented by Zero's own as they all gave a single nod in perfect robotic unison. "Understood sir." Good God using his geass on mass groups of people was unbearably addicting. It was amazing he had as much control over it and himself as he did, enough though it had already run rampant on his left eye.
"Then here are your first orders." Zero stated, the compartment on his mask sliding closed with a click. "Head to the weapons room and arm yourselves for a fight. Security will be here very soon, and I want you to hold them off for as long as you can once I lock the Detention Facility down on the outside."
"Yes sir!" With their orders received, the prisoners and guards all sprinted away to complete the orders they have been given.
"While they do that, I'll get Serena and then head to the control room." With a rev of his D-Wheel, Zero spun his ride around and began heading towards the stairs. The D-Wheel's rider not experiencing even a single bump or hitch as he began to ascend the floors and up towards where Serena should be in solitary confinement. The underbelly of the D-Wheel glowed brightly and ejected just enough energy to make the machine and its passenger practically hover above the steps.
It was only after he had reached the hallway containing the cells he was looking for that Zero came to a screeching halt. The masked man took his duel disk out of his D-Wheel, causing it to power down, before throwing one leg over the side and casually getting off of the machine. The masked leader of the Lancers left his D-Wheel there, knowing it couldn't be turned on or moved without his duel disk and password only he knew. Entering the data folder containing all of the Detention Facility's information, Zero scrolled down until he met up with Serena's file. The Academia runaway was located in solitary cell 427.
Zero tilted his blank mask up to see he was by solitary cell 420, so he wasn't that far away. The cells all looked at least semi comfortable and had a human's basic necessities all within that one space. Each had a camera in the corner that had a view of the entire room, which was rather unsettling but expected for a maximum security prison. Instead of bars or actual doors though, there was a huge glass panel that acted like a doorway.
When he finally reached the female Fusion counterpart's cell, Zero only needed to give a passing glance to see that she wasn't happy and instead very vexed at the situation she was in. The Fusion user was laying in the bed on her stomach on top of the sheets, her arms folded underneath her crossed arms and an irritated look on her face. Otherwise though, the girl was completely silent and did nothing else but just lay there.
Time to change that. With a quick look at the Detention Facility's codes for their doors, Zero typed in the simple commands needed to get the glass panel sliding up. Freeing the last member of the Lancers trapped in this prison.
As soon as the glass panel started hissing, Serena was up and out of the bed. Her fists were raised up and her expression and body language saying she was ready for a fight. Forest green eyes narrowed into a glare at the darkness in front of her cell. "Who's there!" She demanded, guard up. "Show yourself!"
"If the lady wishes, then so be it." Zero's modulated voice echoed out as he stepped out of the darkness of the hallway and into the light shining from the sole window in the cell's ceiling.
"You're-" Serena's eyes widened in shock as she lowered her guard and relaxed. The Fusion user was obviously not expecting Zero to be here. "Zero." She greeted calmly. A grin twitching on her lips as she put her hands on his hips. "I suppose this means we're finally getting the hell out of here, huh."
"Indeed." Zero agreed, continuing forward until he was a few feet away from Serena. "The rest of the Lancers are being broken out of their cells by Shun and Yuto. For you however-" In a dramatic display befitting the masked man's behavior, Zero reached out to grab a hold of Serena's hand and placed his mask on it as if he were giving her hand a kiss like a black knight. "I figured I would save the imprisoned princess myself."
Zero missed the way Serena's cheeks flushed red, which sharply contrasted with her indigo hair. The girl gently pulled her hand away from the masked man's hold, but it wasn't as harsh as it normally would have been with anyone else.
The Moonlight user huffed, and turned her body to the side with her arms crossed. "Up to your usual antics I see. I've hardly known you for a few days and I already know that this is your usual MO." Serena's face broke out into a wide grin as she turned back to the masked man, forest green eyes sparkling with the thought of finally taking action. "Let's get the hell out of here."
"As you wish. Follow me." Zero spun on his heel, and began to make his way back towards his D-Wheel, Serena following only a few steps behind. While they walked, the masked man began to explain the situation. "Once Yuto and Shun gather the others, they'll be escaping through the sewers. That's where you'll be going to meet up with your fellow Lancers after you manage to gather everyone's things from the storage vault. I'll be providing a big distraction to prevent Security from giving chase. Once we escape from this prison we'll be meeting up with Yuzu and Yugo before heading towards the City's Council to reunite with Reiji, Riley, Ruri, and Tsukikage. Got everything so far?"
"Of course." Serena answered with a firm nod and serious expression. That expression soon morphed into one of shock as she gazed at the D-Wheel in the hallway. Forest green eyes went from the mech back to her leader. "Is this thing yours?"
"Indeed it is." You could feel the smirk behind Zero's mask. "I just got it, so I'm taking it out for a test run, which it is passing with flying colors might I add." The revolutionary swung his leg over and got onto his D-Wheel, taking off his duel disk from his arm and inputting it into the D-Wheel to start it up. The engine started up like a lion's roar.
"Since when did you have the time to get a D-Wheel!?" Serena exclaimed.
Zero turned his blank mask over towards Serena. "I have my ways. After all, a revolutionary never reveals his secrets. Now are you going to get on so we can continue forward with the plan or are we just going to sit here and chat all day?" He asked rhetorically.
Serena scoffed. "At this rate I might as well not ask questions and just go with it." Otherwise, the girl got onto the back seat of the D-Wheel without complaints.
"That's what Yuto, Shun, and Ruri have been doing ever since I became their leader. Rather wise of them if you ask me." Zero grinned behind his mask as he hit the throttle to get his D-Wheel moving with a burst of speed. "Hold on." As they lurched forwards, Serena nearly slammed into Zero's back, but stopped herself at the last second. Her arms instinctively coming up to wrap around the masked man's waist lest she end up falling off of the D-Wheel, another blush once again on her cheeks.
"So are we heading to the storage vault first?" Serena yelled out over the sound of Zero's D-Wheel and the sudden rush of air.
"I'll be dropping you off at the storage vault, your duel disk will already have received this facility's blueprints. From there you'll proceed to one of the two sewer entrances and meet up with the rest of your Lancers and you know the rest." Zero answered.
Serena furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to look over Zero's shoulder to see his masked face. "Are you sure you can handle Security though? I mean, there's bound to be a ton of them just trying to break the door down and more after that wave."
"Oh please, you insult me with your doubt, Serena." Zero stated, voice booming with confidence. "If I can help the Xyz resistance rise up from the brink of collapse to gain victory over victory against Academia and turn into a threatening fighting force. If I can survive a Battle Royale over twelve hours long with Obelisk Force right at my heels. If I can survive handling Yuri and keeping up to pace with him in a duel, then I can easily handle the fodder you call Security."
Serena blinked twice, before she shook her head and got back into the game. "Right. I should have expected a response like that."
. . .
"Sir, forces one through eight have been defeated. Orders?" From the confines of the control room, Zero watched everything in silence. His elbows on the desk and hands under his chin as he studied and processed everything at the same time. The screen before him was split into five sections, each from a different camera somewhere in the Detention Facility.
Two were facing the battle going on at the very front entrance of the Detention Facility. While most of the inmates were rushing out of the building in droves like a zombie apocalypse towards Security there were some hiding on the higher levels of the building firing duel cancelling nets. However, even with the equipment and duel disks necessary to fight back, Security was mowing down most of the horde of prisoners. Most certainly due to the fact that his 'soldiers' were more like puppets on strings and didn't have anything like the concept of human will and the urge to fight. While a group would manage to reach Security now and then, there was always another line of the officers waiting and ready for a fight. At the very back, watching it all with spotlights nearly shadowing his form, was the head of Security himself Jean-Micheal Roger.
Zero didn't figure the head man himself would show up for this. Instead thinking that the Head of Security would determine that the issue was beneath him, but it was all the better in Zero's opinion that Roger did end up showing.
A third camera was focused on the hole Shun and Yuto had made. Some Security dressed in similar SWAT gear to those given in the Detention Facility were entering through the hole and slowly making their way towards his position.
Exactly as he had planned.
A fourth watched his Lancers' retreating and slowly shrinking forms as they made their way away from the Detention Facility through the sewers. Their forms blurring into the darkness before they were gone completely. Serena herself having met up with them a few minutes prior, and hugs, greetings, and the exchanging of gear went around for a minute as they made a quick pit stop.
Finally, the fifth camera was looking into the main boiler room that went out to the entire Detention Facility. Zero watched callously as geassed inmates continued to pack charge after charge into the room until it was nearly bursting. The charges themselves could only be activated or deactivated from this control room panel. Zero would be long gone from this room by the time the charges went off. Even then, if those SWAT members somehow managed to make it into the control room in time to stop the charges themselves from detonating, Zero made sure the boiler itself would end up overheating. Thus, when the boiler exploded, the charges would go off as well in a chain reaction, making the building he was in collapse in on itself.
Either way, the Detention Facility was falling. Tonight.
A malicious grin stretched across Zero's masked face as his plans went according to schedule. The co-leader of the Lancers leaned forward to press a button and finally reply back to his geassed subordinate's question. "Have all inmates in the Detention Facility evacuate, exit through the front doors. Make Security struggle to pin you all down, make them sweat." Zero's grin grew wider, like a grinch. "Otherwise, I have no further use of you, pawn. No one is allowed to come back into the building." Zero waited for a moment for his orders to be enacted, and as a mass of pure people ran out of the building in droves Zero initiated the speakers to give his last farewell. "The Black King releases you."
The effect was near instantaneous. The inmates went from having eerie, robotic like coordination in swarming Security to a mass of confused and panicking chickens with their heads cut off. Prisoners were still running out of the building almost as if they had no control of their lower limbs. Those that tried to turn and run back into the building suddenly did a 180 and turned back around on a dot.
He would have stayed for another minute to enjoy their frightened faces just a bit more, to soak it in, but this building was heading to explode.
Such a shame.
With a huff, Zero stood up from the chair he was sitting in, turned on his heel, and left the room towards his D-Wheel.
. . .
"What is the current status of the prisoners we've caught so far? I want a head count right this instant!" Roger wasn't a happy man at this moment in time. No, in fact he was furious. He was on his way to interrogate the Academia runaway female lookalike Serena when chaos struck. The Detention Facility had been broken into, and control of the prison turned over to the prisoners. The outside of the building going on complete lockdown and preventing his Security from stepping even a toe inside. No responses from the guards stationed in there, or even from the Director of the Detention Facility himself. It was all static and curses from prisoners directed to them.
It was a plan that went into action so swiftly and without fault it wouldn't have been possible without inside help.
Roger's green eyes had sharpened to glare at the Detention Facility with rage he couldn't completely express yet except through his words and yelling. This was most certainly the works of Zero and those he managed to escape with. All in a bid to rescue his imprisoned allies. It made the Head of Security steaming mad just thinking about it.
Then the main metal doors to the building had opened, and what happened next was nothing short of a zombie apocalypse scene in a movie. Both inmates and guards alike all sprinted out of the building at varying speeds from a shamble to an olympic sprint. All of them had some form of weapon to arm themselves whether it be a duel disk or a baton, rope, or taser. All of them had their glazed eyes and expressions set on Security. They attacked and fought like wild animals, yet their expressions and jerky movements made it look like they were nothing more than puppets on strings.
It made Roger unnerved. It looked like the prisoners were being controlled by an outside force. The Head of Security had a similar last case emergency method should his control and power in the City be threatened. Every Security officer had to get a chip embedded somewhere on their body, either on their arms, legs, or neck, before they could become an officer on duty. They were told it was a tracking chip to ensure that if Commons attacked them they would be found and given medical help. That was a lie. The chip's real intention was so that if Roger wanted, he could shut down the brain's sense of self and morals, and make it so they were more like a robot he could control and use.
This felt like a rather similar situation.
It wasn't that difficult to take care of the waves of inmates that would attack his officers. Sure, a few got taken down or a broken bone here and there, but most of the casualties went to the escaped convicts. It only got harder when the bulk of people attacking Security suddenly seemed to triple. People were nearly falling off of the road and into the water it was that packed as the prisoners continued their seemingly endless onslaught. While it got harder to contain and cuff the wild barbarians, they too seemed to have become disorganized, even panicked.
Yet they wouldn't go back inside the building even if they wanted to.
It was like a herd of gazelle were trapped between a pack of lions and a canyon, some of which decided to test fate and jump off of the road and into the awaiting salt water and crashing waves below.
This would all be so much easier and end faster if they made it into the Detention Facility's control room. Roger went over to one of the Security vehicles and grabbed a walkie talkie from one of the officer's hands harshly to speak into it himself. "This is the Head of Security speaking, am I correct in asking that this is the leading SWAT team I am talking to?"
"Yes sir. This is SWAT Team Alpha. Do you have orders sir?" The lead SWAT officer spoke quietly, yet at attention into the walkie talkie he had.
"What is your progress on getting into the control room at?" Roger demanded. His hand tightened on the communication device he held in his hand, making his knuckles turn pale. "How much longer do we have to wait?"
"Only a few short minutes sir until we're in the control room." The leading officer replied instantaneously, but now his voice took on a tinge of unnerved worry. "We haven't run into any opposition so far sir… There's no one here except us." Even through the radio, Roger could tell it was alarmingly quiet where the SWAT team was advancing. "Something doesn't feel right."
Roger could agree with that sentiment, but he didn't care about how his soldiers felt. "Just hurry it up and gain control of the building. I'd prefer to have this chaos wrapped up tightly and neatly before it turns midnight. Usual dull green eyes now sharpened looked down towards the fancy and very expensive watch he had on his wrist. "It's about to turn 11:30, so you've got thirty minutes to do your job and wrap this up or it's your career on the line. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir." The SWAT member answered back rather tensely. "We're entering the room right- What the hell?!" Before Roger had a chance to question his soldier's behavior the man spoke again, obvious panic in his voice as he yelled. "Oh shit! It's a bomb! This place is rigged to explode! Everyone fall back! I repeat. FALL BA-!"
Then the Detention Facility went up in flames. A loud boom that actually turned out to be a cacophony of explosions all happening simultaneously echoed out for the entire City to hear like a sonic boom. Prisoners, guards, and Security alike were all running away and screaming at the sight.
The radio in Roger's hand spewed nothing more than static before it turned into nothing. The Head of Security vaguely realized that the device had slipped out of his hand to clatter on the ground uselessly. Yet, his green eyes were stuck on the sight of the Detention Facility erupting up into flames. The bright orange flames licking up the entire building and scorching it black, glass and debris exploding outward in all directions. In some form of twisted miracle, none of the debris landed on the sole road the Detention Facility had, and instead landed in the salty sea water below harmlessly.
Well, for those who didn't jump off of said road anyway.
Out of the flames, an engine roared to life, and a D-Wheel leaped out of the fire to land on the road. Tires peeling on the pavement and the scent of rubber hitting the air. A reddish pink energy surrounding the D-Wheel and its rider as they sped forward undeterred and unharmed. Everyone jumped and vaulted themselves away from the rider's path so as not to get run over. Security sent out duel monsters and nets alike, but they merely bounced off of the strange energy that acted as a shield like flies.
That D-Wheel was heading straight towards him.
In order to preserve his life, Roger just barely managed to jump to the side and out of the way of the insane driver's path. His pristine and expensive suit getting ruined on the grimy road below him. Widened green eyes looked up to meet the one responsible for this entire mess, to see who they were just before they drove by.
A blank mask stared coldly back at him. Mocking him, taunting him.
The interaction lasted barely a millisecond, but it was forever ingrained into Roger's mind. Zero zipped by undeterred by Security or their pathetic obstacles on his D-Wheel, driving out into the night with his short cape flapping wildly in the wind scot free.
It was either round up the rest of the prisoners, or hunt down and detain Zero at the risk of the mass amount of inmates all escaping. If Roger wanted to keep his cover, the choice was obvious on what he must do, but that didn't mean he liked it in the slightest.
It was a complete middle finger to his pride, and that's what made Roger see red. His Security officers ran around frantically like panicking ants, yelling out commands as they began to detain the prisoners. Criminals with no prison to return to and get firefighters on the scene to tend to the ruined Detention Facility. Though the rain which was now becoming a downpour was helping to extinguish a good chunk of the flames. Lightning flashed by for a moment, before thunder rolled out across the sky and echoed. Dark angry, storm clouds making the Detention Facility stand out brightly. The building gave one long lasting groan before its infrastructure fell apart on itself. Steel beams, metal, and flames collapsing in on itself in a horrifying display for some and jaw dropping for others.
Only one name flashed through Roger's mind which he screamed out loud to the high heavens in his enormous fit of rage.
"ZERO!"
. . .
His name being yelled out like a curse was music to his ears nearly being drowned out by the wind and rain rushing by him.
From atop his D-Wheel, Zero grinned darkly.
This entire chapter is 43 pages long and 20,000 words. Wanted to get this thing done before Christmas as a present of sorts, lol. Mission Accomplished! :D Anyway, I'll also be posting another story on here called 'Into Unknown Waters' if you're interested in reading it. The first chapter will be coming out around the same time as this is posted. Now, onto some points I made in the story!
I just realized that Ruri's name in the english version of the show is Lulu. Lelouch's nickname at Ashford Academy is Lulu. Lol what a coincidence.
I changed it so Crow felt more guilt in deciding to abandon Yuya and escape the Detention Facility. I also made it so that Yuya wasn't so glum and worried about Yuzu's safety since Zero and the others are still free and moving about out there outside of the Detention Facility and in the City. Since Zero ran into Yugo and Yuzu once before, Yuya's thinking he must know where they are hiding and that they're safe where they are, so they must be fine.
I based my design of Zero's D-Wheel mostly off of a sports tourer motorcycle. Specifically a Kawasaki Z1000SX. Now, here's what Zero's D-Wheel can do. 1) It's got a holographic display and the glass protecting Zero's duel disk can act like an ipad's screen so Zero can interact with it. 2) The glass orb on the front acts like the Shinkiro's Absolute Defense System, and shields the entire D-Wheel alongside its passengers. 3) If enough energy is given, the D-Wheel can momentarily hover above the ground, which is why it glows a hellish red underneath. This can help the D-Wheel make higher jumps or go above any unsuspecting cracks and potholes.
I believe that's all I wanted to mention. Besides MERRY CHRISTMAS of course! As always, leave a REVIEW, Favorite, and Follow the story. I'll be seeing you all sometime in the future~! -MoonlightWright
